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Broncos Projected to Sign Breakout Chargers Running Back

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Coby Leibowitz | Last updated Mar 14, 2025 12:00 PM ET

Last season, the Los Angeles Chargers took a risk by signing young, talented but injury-prone JK Dobbins. Dobbins was a second-round pick out of Ohio State by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, but he had trouble staying healthy and being able to get into a groove. The young back was gifted, but there were a lot of doubts about his availability.

He shut most of that talk down after this season with the Chargers. He had 195 rushes for 905 yards and nine touchdowns, as well as 32 catches for 153 receiving yards. He also played in 13 games this season, the most he has played since his rookie year when he was a backup.

Dobbins showed explosiveness, toughness, and high IQ this past season and proved that when he is healthy, he is still a problem to deal with. As long as he can stay on the field, any team would be happy to have Dobbins as their running back.

Nick Brinkerhoff of USA Today predicted that JK Dobbins would sign with the Denver Broncos this offseason. That would be an interesting signing for the Denver Broncos for a plethora of reasons.

With Javonte Williams signing with the Dallas Cowboys, the Broncos need a new running back and there has been a lot of talk about who and what kind of running back would be Denver's next starter. The first reason Dobbins would be interesting is because he is not the typical type of running back that Sean Payton likes.

Dobbins is not a "joker" running back like the Broncos have stated they wanted, but he could be a perfect piece in Denver if he stays healthy. He could open up the pass game for Bo Nix more than Williams did.

Although he is not Payton's typical running back, he is probably the most talented running back left, and at 26, it is scary to think that he could end up getting even better. Another reason that this signing would be interesting is that it would give the Broncos total flexibility with their draft pick.

The Broncos were projected to go a lot of different places with their first-round pick, but after signing players like Evan Engram, Talanoa Hufanga, and Dre Greenlaw, it then seemed like the Broncos almost had to take a running back with their pick. The Broncos' main needs that they have left are running back, wide receiver, and offensive line.

With the possibility of Hiesman runner-up Ashton Jeanty being available, this is where the Broncos are predicted to go. However, if they were to sign Dobbins, they would most likely not draft Jeanty and that would leave them open to being able to either go receiver, offensive line, or just draft the best player available. Without the desperate need of a running back the Broncos would be able to go about the draft any way they wanted.

Free agency has already been through a couple of days, and if some of the free agents do not get signed, their prices start to drop. If the Broncos can sign Dobbins for a good price and then be able to have flexibility with their draft pick they will be in a great position to start next season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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